DAIRY GUARANTEE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23479, 17 October 1939, Page 9

DAIRY GUARANTEE

DISCONTENT ALLEGED MORRINSVILLE FARMERS COMPANY DIRECTORS' VIEW Dissatisfaction with the guaranteed price decisions of the Government was expressed in a resolution passed at a meeting of the directors of the Morrinsville Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, yesterday. The need for an improvement in farm labour conditions was also urged. The text of tho resolution was as follows:—"That, in view of the very serious discontent evident the G2O suppliers to the company, tho directors urge tho Government to recon- j sider its decision concerning dairy pro- j duco prices immediately, it being obvious that production so urgently needed by the British Government at tho present juncture can neither bo increased nor even maintained under existing "conditions with present prices." After a discussion on farm labour questions, the .directors decided to ask the Government to state what action it proposed to take to improve tho position, particularly :in view of the very serious labour shortage on farms in the district. This was accentuated by the fact that farm workers were freely volunteering and being accepted for military service. RECONSIDERATION URGED PUKEKOHE RESOLUTION [from. ouit own correspondent] PUKEKOHE. Monday An appeal to the Government to reconsider the guaranteed price for dairy produce is contained in a resolu-' tion carried at the October meeting of the Pukekohe branch of the Farmers' | Union. The resolution is as follows:—"This meeting, while fully _ supporting the Government in its decision to co-operate with the Mother Country in all ways possible to overthrow Hitlerism, nevertheless views with grave concern its action in regard to the price to be paid the dairy fanner, for his produce, and points out that increased production, as requested by the Government, cannot take place to any extent without increased expenditure in the way of extra manure, labour, etc., by the farmer. Last season's guaranteed price was below that recommended by a committee (appointed by the Government itself) which was" fully qualified to make a fair decision. This represented a cut in income to the producer. "With the undisputable rise in costs, the price offered this year represents a second cut, to which must be added loss occasioned in the marketing of porkers. This meeting strongly protests against the dictatorial method used in arriving at and stating the price. It respectfully appeals to the Minister and the Government in the interests of production to reconsider the position." MEAT NEGOTIATIONS FINALITY EXPECTED SOON [by telegraph—PßESS association] ■WELLINGTON. Monday Negotiations with the British. Government for the purchase of New Zealand's meat and dairy produce have not been completed yet. The Minister of Finance and Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, explained to-day that during the week-end cables had been exchanged with the United Kingdom regarding the prices at which meat would be acquired, and the final decisions should be available in a few days.